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Deadline
A jaded journalist becomes the confidante of a serial killer, who believes you reap what you sow.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2020
About the author
Geoff Major
3 books26 followersGeoff Major began writing almost 20 years after he had the initial idea for DEADLINE. He lives in Yorkshire with his wife, their dog, and close to his children.
Now he's retired from full-time work and part-time fundraising challenges, he hopes to release a book every 18 months. Fast-paced, multi-character, and with complex plots, his books are not for the cosy crime audience.
Now he's retired from full-time work and part-time fundraising challenges, he hopes to release a book every 18 months. Fast-paced, multi-character, and with complex plots, his books are not for the cosy crime audience.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 31, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
DEADLINE by Geoff Major is an exceptionally chilling serial killer/spy thriller/British police procedural/mystery/suspense/thriller mash-up. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, Mr. Major would throw in another plot twist or red herring that completely sent me in another direction and the ending shocked me!
Adam Ferranti had the story of his career at the Washington Post pulled out from under him and quashed by the FBI. After that disappointment he becomes a war correspondent in Afghanistan and then takes a position with the Yorkshire Post in England. Down and out, he suddenly begins to receive mysterious calls from a serial killer.
Detective Sergeant Stephanie Walker is a talented star at work, but abused by her husband in their home. DS Walker is in charge of the murder investigation, when Ferranti comes to the police station with his story of being contacted by a serial killer who has set them on a deadline until the next killing. At first the two butt heads, but eventually Stephanie starts to like and have feelings for Ferranti.
Stephanie is pulled from the case officially when her husband is considered a suspect. She continues to be updated by the DS Hobbs who replaced her and works the case with Ferranti. But nothing is as it seems with MI5, a U.S. Senator and long buried secrets about to emerge as well as a serial killer who continues on his deadline.
Clear some time because once you start this book you are not going to want to put it down. It starts out as a common serial killer investigation, but the plot quickly morphs into so much more. The characters are all fully fleshed and many have secrets that are revealed cleverly throughout the plot. The ending completely shocked me and I love when a story can do that to me. I was completely and pleasantly surprised by this debut author.
I highly recommend this book! This is a book you are going to want to get your hands on as soon as possible and I know everyone will be talking about it, especially the ending.
DEADLINE by Geoff Major is an exceptionally chilling serial killer/spy thriller/British police procedural/mystery/suspense/thriller mash-up. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, Mr. Major would throw in another plot twist or red herring that completely sent me in another direction and the ending shocked me!
Adam Ferranti had the story of his career at the Washington Post pulled out from under him and quashed by the FBI. After that disappointment he becomes a war correspondent in Afghanistan and then takes a position with the Yorkshire Post in England. Down and out, he suddenly begins to receive mysterious calls from a serial killer.
Detective Sergeant Stephanie Walker is a talented star at work, but abused by her husband in their home. DS Walker is in charge of the murder investigation, when Ferranti comes to the police station with his story of being contacted by a serial killer who has set them on a deadline until the next killing. At first the two butt heads, but eventually Stephanie starts to like and have feelings for Ferranti.
Stephanie is pulled from the case officially when her husband is considered a suspect. She continues to be updated by the DS Hobbs who replaced her and works the case with Ferranti. But nothing is as it seems with MI5, a U.S. Senator and long buried secrets about to emerge as well as a serial killer who continues on his deadline.
Clear some time because once you start this book you are not going to want to put it down. It starts out as a common serial killer investigation, but the plot quickly morphs into so much more. The characters are all fully fleshed and many have secrets that are revealed cleverly throughout the plot. The ending completely shocked me and I love when a story can do that to me. I was completely and pleasantly surprised by this debut author.
I highly recommend this book! This is a book you are going to want to get your hands on as soon as possible and I know everyone will be talking about it, especially the ending.
September 11, 2020
I loved it, it kept me gripped and although I would have liked to read it in 1 go, I had to make do with 4. Luckily I woke up at 4am today so I read a huge chunk this morning until I had to get up for work and then finished the last 20 or so pages (sooo frustrating not to have quite finished before work) while I ate my lunch! Pace was perfect, writing was easy to read but gripping, plot was complex but not overwhelming, I can’t wait for your next book (get on with it!!). Not saying more as I don’t want to give anything away to those who haven’t read it! Thoroughly recommend it for anyone who likes a good crime / thriller or just a good read in general!
December 9, 2020
If there’s one thing I like doing, it’s discovering new authors and Geoff Major is certainly a new author for me. However, having enjoyed reading ‘Deadline’ as much as I did, I will certainly be reading more of his work in the future. I loved ‘Deadline’ but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long to get into this story. In fact the synopsis intrigued me and I felt compelled, in the nicest possible way, to dive straight into the story itself. For once I behaved myself and did as I was told. After the first dozen pages or so, I had an inkling that I wasn’t going to be able to put the book down very easily. I must be psychic because that’s exactly what happened. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. It as if I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story or some vital clue. I wasn’t able to read the book over the course of a single day because life got in the way but I did read it over the course of three days which is still pretty good going for me.
‘Deadline’ is well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into the story. I found that Geoff writes so realistically and uses such vivid descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself. ‘Deadline’ hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. I found ‘Deadline’ to be a tightly plotted story with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I also found ‘Deadline’ to be a gripping read, which held my attention from start to finish and had me sat on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Deadline’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Geoff’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It didn’t take me long to get into this story. In fact the synopsis intrigued me and I felt compelled, in the nicest possible way, to dive straight into the story itself. For once I behaved myself and did as I was told. After the first dozen pages or so, I had an inkling that I wasn’t going to be able to put the book down very easily. I must be psychic because that’s exactly what happened. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. It as if I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story or some vital clue. I wasn’t able to read the book over the course of a single day because life got in the way but I did read it over the course of three days which is still pretty good going for me.
‘Deadline’ is well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into the story. I found that Geoff writes so realistically and uses such vivid descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself. ‘Deadline’ hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. I found ‘Deadline’ to be a tightly plotted story with more twists and turns than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. I also found ‘Deadline’ to be a gripping read, which held my attention from start to finish and had me sat on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Deadline’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Geoff’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
December 12, 2020
Holy cow! That was a shocker. Mr. Major has written a complex and alarming psychological thriller that had me glued to the pages.
Adam Ferranti is a journalist with a penchant for drinking and missing deadlines. And now he is the target of a serial killer who has the Metropolitan Police all scrambling to find who is killing random people in the U.K.
Detective Sergeant Stephanie Walker is lead detective on a case of multiple gruesome murders supposedly done by the same man. With the assistance of Adam Ferranti who is getting calls from the killer, D.S. Walker and her team are trying to beat the clock to find the killer, but she has serious problems at home that will be revealed in an unexpected turn of events.
The plot is intricate and filled with revelations that had this reader guessing until the very twisted end. There are many diverse characters, both corrupt and honorable, who have some kind of agenda to fit their needs be it revenge, promotions, or just finding out the truth.
I recommend this elaborate and ambitious thriller to those who enjoy the twists and turns of a great mystery with a memorable and mind-blowing ending.
Thank you to Mr. Major for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Adam Ferranti is a journalist with a penchant for drinking and missing deadlines. And now he is the target of a serial killer who has the Metropolitan Police all scrambling to find who is killing random people in the U.K.
Detective Sergeant Stephanie Walker is lead detective on a case of multiple gruesome murders supposedly done by the same man. With the assistance of Adam Ferranti who is getting calls from the killer, D.S. Walker and her team are trying to beat the clock to find the killer, but she has serious problems at home that will be revealed in an unexpected turn of events.
The plot is intricate and filled with revelations that had this reader guessing until the very twisted end. There are many diverse characters, both corrupt and honorable, who have some kind of agenda to fit their needs be it revenge, promotions, or just finding out the truth.
I recommend this elaborate and ambitious thriller to those who enjoy the twists and turns of a great mystery with a memorable and mind-blowing ending.
Thank you to Mr. Major for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
September 26, 2020
DS Stephanie Walker works for the West Yorkshire Police, she’s strong, determined and known for her toughness on the streets. But she’s also the victim of domestic violence, but hides this from her colleagues as she feels she can’t show any weakness in this male dominated world.
Adam Ferranti is a journalist, he’s in contact with someone who seems to have inside information relating to a serial killer and his victims…eventually he takes the information to the police when someone he knows dies.
That’s all I can really say about the plot for fear of spoiling it…..but oh my god……!
This is dark, gruesome and twisty with a truly gasp inducing ending…..just wow.
If you like an involved, intense and dark thriller…you are going to love Deadline.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of Deadline..
Adam Ferranti is a journalist, he’s in contact with someone who seems to have inside information relating to a serial killer and his victims…eventually he takes the information to the police when someone he knows dies.
That’s all I can really say about the plot for fear of spoiling it…..but oh my god……!
This is dark, gruesome and twisty with a truly gasp inducing ending…..just wow.
If you like an involved, intense and dark thriller…you are going to love Deadline.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, for the promotional material and an eARC of Deadline..
September 3, 2020
I really thoroughly enjoyed Deadline, I read it in two sittings.
There’s a lot going on, lots of players involved and some different timelines so I would read this when you don’t have other distractions.
But please don’t let that put you off because the story is really good and really draws you in.
This is so much more than just a serial killer at large being hunted by police, there’s political scandal, multi government agency corruption both in the UK and USA as well as the murders themselves.
Everything is not as it seems and everyone is not who they appear to be.
So much espionage and mystery unfolds within this book.
Who is the serial killer? When will he stop?
There’s so many elements to the plot and plenty of twists and turns to keep you wanting to turn those pages and read on.
Really enjoyed Major’s writing style and he did drop some breadcrumbs to make the reader question who some of the major players really are.
I love when a book makes me physically drop my jaw which this one did more than once.
The murders are gruesome and calculated, this killer has revenge in mind and won’t let anyone even three police forces get in his way.
Can he be unmasked before more blood is shed? You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out.
I really enjoyed the storyline and I really enjoyed the ending – certainly left me hungry for more.
Major does not tie everything neatly with a bow, there could even be a second instalment as I think there’s more that could be picked away.
A page turner it certainly is.
There’s a lot going on, lots of players involved and some different timelines so I would read this when you don’t have other distractions.
But please don’t let that put you off because the story is really good and really draws you in.
This is so much more than just a serial killer at large being hunted by police, there’s political scandal, multi government agency corruption both in the UK and USA as well as the murders themselves.
Everything is not as it seems and everyone is not who they appear to be.
So much espionage and mystery unfolds within this book.
Who is the serial killer? When will he stop?
There’s so many elements to the plot and plenty of twists and turns to keep you wanting to turn those pages and read on.
Really enjoyed Major’s writing style and he did drop some breadcrumbs to make the reader question who some of the major players really are.
I love when a book makes me physically drop my jaw which this one did more than once.
The murders are gruesome and calculated, this killer has revenge in mind and won’t let anyone even three police forces get in his way.
Can he be unmasked before more blood is shed? You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out.
I really enjoyed the storyline and I really enjoyed the ending – certainly left me hungry for more.
Major does not tie everything neatly with a bow, there could even be a second instalment as I think there’s more that could be picked away.
A page turner it certainly is.
December 1, 2021
I love a good serial killer thriller, and Deadline brought me exactly what I wished for - a dark and savage serial killer thriller!
Deadline had an incredibly strong opening, and I was sucked in immediately. What followed was an absolutely chilling and compelling ride of clever twists and turns.
Adam Ferranti, an American journalist, is contacted by a mysterious serial killer who confides in Ferranti about details of a murder which has taken place. Ferranti becomes the serial killer’s tortured confidante and messenger boy to DS Stephanie Walker as she tries to prevent any more murders before the provided deadlines.
As the bodies start to pile up in extremely vicious and chilling circumstances, the race is on to stop the killer before it’s too late.
Major has produced a masterful debut with a complex, fast paced, and gripping plot. With realistic and vivid writing, I was fully invested in these characters - some were likeable, some not, but all were fantastic and worthy of their role. With more twists than a slalom ski race, i was compelled to read to the very end - where Major absolutely belted me with a shocker!!! I am rarely shocked but Major got me totally unawares. And I was absolutely delighted. As shocking as the end was, it also tied up nicely with no unanswered questions.
I am hugely grateful to Geoff Major for allowing me the opportunity to read Deadline and offer my personal thoughts. If you like a dark serial killer thriller and you need to read this book!! I can safely say I have discovered a new author who will be going on my automatic TBR.
Deadline had an incredibly strong opening, and I was sucked in immediately. What followed was an absolutely chilling and compelling ride of clever twists and turns.
Adam Ferranti, an American journalist, is contacted by a mysterious serial killer who confides in Ferranti about details of a murder which has taken place. Ferranti becomes the serial killer’s tortured confidante and messenger boy to DS Stephanie Walker as she tries to prevent any more murders before the provided deadlines.
As the bodies start to pile up in extremely vicious and chilling circumstances, the race is on to stop the killer before it’s too late.
Major has produced a masterful debut with a complex, fast paced, and gripping plot. With realistic and vivid writing, I was fully invested in these characters - some were likeable, some not, but all were fantastic and worthy of their role. With more twists than a slalom ski race, i was compelled to read to the very end - where Major absolutely belted me with a shocker!!! I am rarely shocked but Major got me totally unawares. And I was absolutely delighted. As shocking as the end was, it also tied up nicely with no unanswered questions.
I am hugely grateful to Geoff Major for allowing me the opportunity to read Deadline and offer my personal thoughts. If you like a dark serial killer thriller and you need to read this book!! I can safely say I have discovered a new author who will be going on my automatic TBR.
January 2, 2022
3/5 ⭐️
Nice read, although it did take me way longer to get through than I usually do (or like to) with thrillers. I don't know if it's because of the setting changing every chapter or the multiple one-time appearances and sooo many names to remember, but I did feel a bit overwhelmed by the setting of this book and I usually prefer to be overwhelmed with the plot, which disappointed me for what I thought would be a page turner.
The other thing that really troubled me and I don't know if I just got a copy that wasn't proofed to be read, but SO many mistakes. Whether it's names, spelling (dodne instead of donde in Spanish - TWICE if not 3x!), formatting (italic when it's not supposed to be and vice versa). I might be picky but I absolutely can't bare when things like that occur in books I really want (and even need) to get immersed into in order to understand every detail!
All in all, the plot was really nice and interesting, but I feel like if the same attention could have been given to the final reveal as it was for alllllll the introductions of one-time characters, this book would have really been a page turner for me. :-)
Edit: I have by accident deleted the author's comment, I hope he sees my reply if I edit my review!
Nice read, although it did take me way longer to get through than I usually do (or like to) with thrillers. I don't know if it's because of the setting changing every chapter or the multiple one-time appearances and sooo many names to remember, but I did feel a bit overwhelmed by the setting of this book and I usually prefer to be overwhelmed with the plot, which disappointed me for what I thought would be a page turner.
The other thing that really troubled me and I don't know if I just got a copy that wasn't proofed to be read, but SO many mistakes. Whether it's names, spelling (dodne instead of donde in Spanish - TWICE if not 3x!), formatting (italic when it's not supposed to be and vice versa). I might be picky but I absolutely can't bare when things like that occur in books I really want (and even need) to get immersed into in order to understand every detail!
All in all, the plot was really nice and interesting, but I feel like if the same attention could have been given to the final reveal as it was for alllllll the introductions of one-time characters, this book would have really been a page turner for me. :-)
Edit: I have by accident deleted the author's comment, I hope he sees my reply if I edit my review!
September 24, 2020
Enthralling and entertaining book. Great pace to the story, page turning plot with plenty of twists and turns. Comparable with anything in the genre. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and environment that it created and the characters that inhabited the story. Definitely worth a read.
September 7, 2020
Absolutely fantastic read. I am a huge fan of this genre so to read something this captivating as a first novel from Major was incredible. I was on the edge of my seat throughout. His style of writing transported me into the scenes as I was reading them and I really felt like I was living the story.
Can’t wait for more!
Can’t wait for more!
September 21, 2020
What a fantastic debut from this very talented author. I was hooked from the first page. So much so I finished the book in one day! Bang went the other plans I had for the day!!
I love a good crime thriller and this was so well written, engaging, lots of twists and turns, layers of information and locked in right to the last word. So sorry it had to end! Hoping for another great story soon!!
I love a good crime thriller and this was so well written, engaging, lots of twists and turns, layers of information and locked in right to the last word. So sorry it had to end! Hoping for another great story soon!!
September 22, 2020
I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what had happened, what was happening and what was going to happen. I must of said a few times out loud "didn't expect that"
Truly a brilliant read. Need the next one.
Truly a brilliant read. Need the next one.
September 1, 2020
This is a very skilfully developed crime thriller which had me gripped to the end, and what a twist of an ending it has!
The book has a grittiness which is brought to bear on both the characters and the Yorkshire setting for the majority of the action. The author takes great care to develop a range of characters giving the story far more depth than your average "each read" crime thriller. No spoilers here, but I was genuinely disappointed when my favourite character died in a real twist part way through the story.
The book had me working hard to try to work out where the story would end up, with the book finding a real sweet spot between the inevitability of an easy read and the overly convoluted plot that often loses the reader or ends in a ridiculously improbable ending.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, and maybe the start of "Yorkshire Noir" as a style? Let's hope so, and let's hope for more where this came from from the author.
The book has a grittiness which is brought to bear on both the characters and the Yorkshire setting for the majority of the action. The author takes great care to develop a range of characters giving the story far more depth than your average "each read" crime thriller. No spoilers here, but I was genuinely disappointed when my favourite character died in a real twist part way through the story.
The book had me working hard to try to work out where the story would end up, with the book finding a real sweet spot between the inevitability of an easy read and the overly convoluted plot that often loses the reader or ends in a ridiculously improbable ending.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, and maybe the start of "Yorkshire Noir" as a style? Let's hope so, and let's hope for more where this came from from the author.
August 30, 2020
My Thoughts: this book was incredible, it’s a long one for a crime thriller, but one that I really struggled to put down!
We follow Adam, a hot shot American journalist who has moved to England and is now working for the Yorkshire Post, he gets to work and gets a phone call telling him about a murder that has already happened telling him to go to the police and “heed the note”
What follows is truly gripping, complex but yet easy to follow, the characters were so deep and complex that I found myself really invested in all of their lives.
There was one part in particular that absolutely broke my heart and I had to read it twice to make sure I hadn’t read it wrong 💔
I could honestly rave about this book for ages – the story was scarily believable and the twists and turns didn’t stop.
I for one did not see the ending coming, I actually gasped when it was revealed!
Just go and buy it and experience it for yourself, I promise you’ll love it!
We follow Adam, a hot shot American journalist who has moved to England and is now working for the Yorkshire Post, he gets to work and gets a phone call telling him about a murder that has already happened telling him to go to the police and “heed the note”
What follows is truly gripping, complex but yet easy to follow, the characters were so deep and complex that I found myself really invested in all of their lives.
There was one part in particular that absolutely broke my heart and I had to read it twice to make sure I hadn’t read it wrong 💔
I could honestly rave about this book for ages – the story was scarily believable and the twists and turns didn’t stop.
I for one did not see the ending coming, I actually gasped when it was revealed!
Just go and buy it and experience it for yourself, I promise you’ll love it!
September 16, 2020
Absolutely gripping, with twists, turns and big characters. Devoured this book in two sittings! Highly recommended.
September 13, 2020
I read this book over four days and thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns. There are characters you like and characters you don't and then others that you change your mind on. I was guessing "who done it" right the way through and there's certainly a twist at the end!
September 13, 2020
This is a real page turner, in fact I couldn’t put it down! Lots of interesting characters and twists and turns right to the end. A great read 👍🏻
September 17, 2020
Summary
Storyline 10
Plot. 10
Suspense 10
Characters 10
Flow. 9
Imagination 10
Author skill. 10
Highly recommended
Storyline 10
Plot. 10
Suspense 10
Characters 10
Flow. 9
Imagination 10
Author skill. 10
Highly recommended
October 25, 2020
An excellent debut novel that crime / thriller genre with a bit of political espionage thrown in. The story genesis is in the late 70s and has it's roots in the UK and the US but the action is set in the recent past and predominantly set in Yorkshire. The main characters of Walker and Ferranti are strong and develop well throughout the book and the supporting cast of characters also have sufficient depth to make you care about them. The plot moves along at a great pace and has a degree of complexity that means it benefits from being read without distraction especially as there were one or two occasions when I had to check back in the book to reacquaint myself with a character. The twist at the end is unexpected.
This book certainly stands to comparison to debut novels from now well established crime / thriller writer and if you like Nesbo, Peter James or, if you are my age, Deighton then you will enjoy this. Recommended>>>
March 2024 - Have listened to this on audiobook one the last couple of days and the story stacks up equally well. Excellent narration really brings the story to life..
This book certainly stands to comparison to debut novels from now well established crime / thriller writer and if you like Nesbo, Peter James or, if you are my age, Deighton then you will enjoy this. Recommended>>>
March 2024 - Have listened to this on audiobook one the last couple of days and the story stacks up equally well. Excellent narration really brings the story to life..
December 30, 2020
I have to start this review with an apology to my partner. The twist at the end of this book was so surprising that I just blurted out what had happened.
From that apology you can tell you can tell that I enjoyed and was shocked by the end of this book. Geoff Major has created monsters in Deadline. Almost every character that you meet in this book has a reason for instant suspicion. The plot slowly takes shape with multiple threads coming together in a tight knot around both the doomed and the unsuspecting. I found this book impossible to put down, impossible to second guess and very twisty.
Adam Ferranti is exactly the character that you expect from the blurb. An American journalist who ends up in the UK working for the Yorkshire Post whilst reeking of alcohol. An employee so untrusted the paper send a taxi to collect (or wake!) him every morning. Through his friendship with the taxi driver, Khatri, we get to know Adam as well informed, intellectual and occasionally empathic individual but not one who is delighted to be social. As we get to hear more about his history we find out the “one that got away” the Pulitzer Prize that never was and Adam’s continual quest to get a big story. That is until the phone rings at his office desk and an anonymous voice tips him off about murder scenes which the police have attended and also have yet to attend. Major grips you as a reader and doesn’t let go as you follow this dramatic story with the clock ticking down to the deadline.
The police characters in this book are an interesting bunch. The lead investigator, the hard nosed DS Walker, takes centre stage to begin with but gradually we meet the team around her. The promotion focussed boss, Hobbs, the surprise new sidekick for Walker and the other investigators from around the country facing their linked murder scenes. Major does a brilliant job of showing the raw competition between these colleagues who are also desperate to stop the body count, but also get some personal kudos out of the investigation. I loved the hunt and the way in which seemingly unconnected characters seamlessly fitted together into a bigger picture.
At the same time as we follow the police investigation we start to see glimpses of activity in the USA, and then the tenuous links begin to appear…..
I’m not going to say anymore as I don’t want to give away the ending (again! ☹) but this is a book full of twists, turns, intrigue and murder that will satisfy even the most cynical reader. This is an easy five-star read and one that I heartily recommend.
From that apology you can tell you can tell that I enjoyed and was shocked by the end of this book. Geoff Major has created monsters in Deadline. Almost every character that you meet in this book has a reason for instant suspicion. The plot slowly takes shape with multiple threads coming together in a tight knot around both the doomed and the unsuspecting. I found this book impossible to put down, impossible to second guess and very twisty.
Adam Ferranti is exactly the character that you expect from the blurb. An American journalist who ends up in the UK working for the Yorkshire Post whilst reeking of alcohol. An employee so untrusted the paper send a taxi to collect (or wake!) him every morning. Through his friendship with the taxi driver, Khatri, we get to know Adam as well informed, intellectual and occasionally empathic individual but not one who is delighted to be social. As we get to hear more about his history we find out the “one that got away” the Pulitzer Prize that never was and Adam’s continual quest to get a big story. That is until the phone rings at his office desk and an anonymous voice tips him off about murder scenes which the police have attended and also have yet to attend. Major grips you as a reader and doesn’t let go as you follow this dramatic story with the clock ticking down to the deadline.
The police characters in this book are an interesting bunch. The lead investigator, the hard nosed DS Walker, takes centre stage to begin with but gradually we meet the team around her. The promotion focussed boss, Hobbs, the surprise new sidekick for Walker and the other investigators from around the country facing their linked murder scenes. Major does a brilliant job of showing the raw competition between these colleagues who are also desperate to stop the body count, but also get some personal kudos out of the investigation. I loved the hunt and the way in which seemingly unconnected characters seamlessly fitted together into a bigger picture.
At the same time as we follow the police investigation we start to see glimpses of activity in the USA, and then the tenuous links begin to appear…..
I’m not going to say anymore as I don’t want to give away the ending (again! ☹) but this is a book full of twists, turns, intrigue and murder that will satisfy even the most cynical reader. This is an easy five-star read and one that I heartily recommend.
December 4, 2020
Well, this is certainly going to be a hard book to write a review for, I feel like I won’t be able to say anything without giving away some of the plot which I definitely don’t want to do, so forgive me if I sound somewhat vague at times.
I was keen to read this book after seeing some very good reviews and being very intrigued by the description, I was expecting something good but I wasn’t expecting just how many times I would be shocked by the revelations in this story. The plot was so complex that I’m surprised that I managed to keep up, fair warning there are a lot of characters that you need to keep a track of, but it all gets resolved without any loose ends.
The pacing was brilliant, this is the kind of book that I felt like I didn’t want to put down and especially as the story starts to come to its conclusion I was transfixed. I think it’s possibly just a quirk of the copy I received but we end up seeing from the perspective of quite a few different characters, which was great to help reveal the story but the switch was sometimes within the same paragraph which could be a little confusing and break the flow of the story a little, but as I said it could just be a copy issue.
I really enjoyed how far-reaching this was, it involves the media, the police, politicians, criminals and intelligence from both the UK and the US, I quite liked that I never knew how the characters would all converge into the story and in which way their storylines would be significant. I will say that there was an occasion where I did wonder about the location of a character because they weren’t where I would imagine and there was a part of a character's storyline that I wasn’t 100% sold on but I can’t say anymore because everything in this story is so intrinsically linked and it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment.
I do wish I could say more but once you read it you’ll understand, what I will say is that if you enjoy complex and intense storylines with a lot of unexpected surprises then you are in for an absolute treat.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
I was keen to read this book after seeing some very good reviews and being very intrigued by the description, I was expecting something good but I wasn’t expecting just how many times I would be shocked by the revelations in this story. The plot was so complex that I’m surprised that I managed to keep up, fair warning there are a lot of characters that you need to keep a track of, but it all gets resolved without any loose ends.
The pacing was brilliant, this is the kind of book that I felt like I didn’t want to put down and especially as the story starts to come to its conclusion I was transfixed. I think it’s possibly just a quirk of the copy I received but we end up seeing from the perspective of quite a few different characters, which was great to help reveal the story but the switch was sometimes within the same paragraph which could be a little confusing and break the flow of the story a little, but as I said it could just be a copy issue.
I really enjoyed how far-reaching this was, it involves the media, the police, politicians, criminals and intelligence from both the UK and the US, I quite liked that I never knew how the characters would all converge into the story and in which way their storylines would be significant. I will say that there was an occasion where I did wonder about the location of a character because they weren’t where I would imagine and there was a part of a character's storyline that I wasn’t 100% sold on but I can’t say anymore because everything in this story is so intrinsically linked and it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment.
I do wish I could say more but once you read it you’ll understand, what I will say is that if you enjoy complex and intense storylines with a lot of unexpected surprises then you are in for an absolute treat.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
December 15, 2020
Deadline by Geoff Major is the type of book that I tend to love. A proper cross genre story that is part spy thriller,serial killer, police procedural full of mystery and suspense. One that is hard to pin down to one genre but boy, I found it easy to read, but hard to figure out! Geoff Major has skilfully woven a tale that leads you up every blind alley he could find. A story that definitely keeps you on your toes from the start.
Adam Ferranti was working at the Washington Post as a journalist when the FBI squashed what would have been the biggest story of his career. Disillusioned he leaves becoming a war correspondent in Afghanistan, from there he decides to accept a job at the Yorkshire Post over in England. He is contacted by someone who starts to give him inside information on a serial killer and the victims. When someone he knows dies, he makes the decision to go to the police with his information.
D.S Stephanie Walker is working for West Yorkshire, a seemingly strong, brave and determined woman who holds her own amongst her colleagues and on the Yorkshire streets. The biggest secret she hides from everyone is that she is a domestic Violence victim.
Ferranti and Walker are both really well developed characters that are believable and this helped me to be drawn into this highly entertaining, gritty read. Geoff Major brings the action, drama and twists galore in this stort that had my heart pumping that bit more. A plot that keeps you thinking as it unfolds, and nothing is as you expect!
A debut noveI that I didn't want to put down till I finished it so I could have all the answers to the questions it brought up. With all the ingredients needed to create a story that keeps you hooked to the last paragraph.If you like a book that has you reading until way too late and that keeps you thinking about it after you have finished it, Deadline is the book for you!
Thanks to Damp Pebbles Blog Tours and Geoff Major for the copy of the book for my review today.
Adam Ferranti was working at the Washington Post as a journalist when the FBI squashed what would have been the biggest story of his career. Disillusioned he leaves becoming a war correspondent in Afghanistan, from there he decides to accept a job at the Yorkshire Post over in England. He is contacted by someone who starts to give him inside information on a serial killer and the victims. When someone he knows dies, he makes the decision to go to the police with his information.
D.S Stephanie Walker is working for West Yorkshire, a seemingly strong, brave and determined woman who holds her own amongst her colleagues and on the Yorkshire streets. The biggest secret she hides from everyone is that she is a domestic Violence victim.
Ferranti and Walker are both really well developed characters that are believable and this helped me to be drawn into this highly entertaining, gritty read. Geoff Major brings the action, drama and twists galore in this stort that had my heart pumping that bit more. A plot that keeps you thinking as it unfolds, and nothing is as you expect!
A debut noveI that I didn't want to put down till I finished it so I could have all the answers to the questions it brought up. With all the ingredients needed to create a story that keeps you hooked to the last paragraph.If you like a book that has you reading until way too late and that keeps you thinking about it after you have finished it, Deadline is the book for you!
Thanks to Damp Pebbles Blog Tours and Geoff Major for the copy of the book for my review today.
January 24, 2021
This was a GoodReads giveaway win send to me “across The Pond” by the author with a personalized note in the title page. Thanks for the effort to send me your book.
Overall I liked this story. At times I really felt for our lost and confused journalist hero. Some story timelines did not always seem to perfectly match up, but I did not want to bog myself down with tracking all of the details. I wanted to enjoy the story as it unfolded.
The opening scenes could have been a bit smoother. They just did not seem very polished. Why is there a doctor at the accident scene with the emergency medics? And none of the medics question his presence?
There are a lot of moving parts in this story. Lots of characters are introduced, but as in real life, you never know who only plays only a walk on / walk off role.
A personal pet peeve. During one book passage, one of our protagonists is interrupted while reading a book. He folds down the page corner to act as his bookmark. Get a book marker! These types of readers should just stick to electronic readers that automatically save your place. I have less respect for those who do not take care of and cherish books as i do. I guess I have read one too many public library borrows were others have previously turned down page corners. Some fold just an inch off the corner, others the entire page width. Sorry for that sidetrack rant.
I did not anticipate the final ending. It took a hard veer from where I thought it might go. So many lies and misleading actions by everyone with their personal agendas. It was not the most satisfying of endings for most readers, but life does not always make everyone happy. It was totally unexpected.
Have a GoodReads.
Overall I liked this story. At times I really felt for our lost and confused journalist hero. Some story timelines did not always seem to perfectly match up, but I did not want to bog myself down with tracking all of the details. I wanted to enjoy the story as it unfolded.
The opening scenes could have been a bit smoother. They just did not seem very polished. Why is there a doctor at the accident scene with the emergency medics? And none of the medics question his presence?
There are a lot of moving parts in this story. Lots of characters are introduced, but as in real life, you never know who only plays only a walk on / walk off role.
A personal pet peeve. During one book passage, one of our protagonists is interrupted while reading a book. He folds down the page corner to act as his bookmark. Get a book marker! These types of readers should just stick to electronic readers that automatically save your place. I have less respect for those who do not take care of and cherish books as i do. I guess I have read one too many public library borrows were others have previously turned down page corners. Some fold just an inch off the corner, others the entire page width. Sorry for that sidetrack rant.
I did not anticipate the final ending. It took a hard veer from where I thought it might go. So many lies and misleading actions by everyone with their personal agendas. It was not the most satisfying of endings for most readers, but life does not always make everyone happy. It was totally unexpected.
Have a GoodReads.
September 24, 2021
In my younger days I read a couple of books a week, over the last few years my time and desire to read has dwindled but after finishing Deadline this week I just got my reading appetite back! Thank-you Geoff Major :-)
From the offset I was hooked. I gorged on 14 chapters in the first sitting and finished the whole book in just a few days. Turn off the phones, curl up in a comfy seat and lose yourself in this superb piece of narrative.
The settings are interesting, the characters believable and even though some personas are of a very, very bad disposition, you can't help but empathise and even like them.
The pace is full of momentum keeping your mind completely immersed in the places and faces that make this such an enthralling read, while the story plays out perfectly flitting between the critical timelines with ease.
I tried to figure out where it was all going, playing Detective throughout, until once at the end the pages were turning quicker than a merrygoround until the big reveal where I was completely satisfied. The ending pulled all of the pieces of the jigsaw together beautigully to portray the most nefarious of narratives.
If you like a tense crime thriller with elements of humour, lust and a big helping of deceit then you will love this read. The "deadline" for the next book just can't come soon enough for me!
From the offset I was hooked. I gorged on 14 chapters in the first sitting and finished the whole book in just a few days. Turn off the phones, curl up in a comfy seat and lose yourself in this superb piece of narrative.
The settings are interesting, the characters believable and even though some personas are of a very, very bad disposition, you can't help but empathise and even like them.
The pace is full of momentum keeping your mind completely immersed in the places and faces that make this such an enthralling read, while the story plays out perfectly flitting between the critical timelines with ease.
I tried to figure out where it was all going, playing Detective throughout, until once at the end the pages were turning quicker than a merrygoround until the big reveal where I was completely satisfied. The ending pulled all of the pieces of the jigsaw together beautigully to portray the most nefarious of narratives.
If you like a tense crime thriller with elements of humour, lust and a big helping of deceit then you will love this read. The "deadline" for the next book just can't come soon enough for me!
December 31, 2020
Deadline is a thrilling crime drama that deals with love, loss, and revenge. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this novel by reading the blurb, but I am happy to say that I enjoyed it a great deal. I tend to love crime procedurals, and this one does not disappoint.
I knew from very early on who the murderer was, but what I didn’t expect was how the story would play out. How would the murderer come to justice? The ending blew me away. I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was shocking and, to be honest, very sad. The tears flowed freely through the last twenty or so minutes I read.
I will admit that some parts of the book are predictable. However, this did not dampen my enjoyment of the novel at all. I couldn’t put it down until I ultimately fell asleep with the Kindle falling on my face.
I am happy to award Deadline 4 out of 5 stars. If you love crime thrillers, you should read this book. The ending leaves a perfect segue into a sequel if there is to be one, and it is a thrilling ending.
Many thanks to Emma at Dampebbles Blog Tours, Geoff Major, and Grosvenor House Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of Deadline in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I knew from very early on who the murderer was, but what I didn’t expect was how the story would play out. How would the murderer come to justice? The ending blew me away. I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was shocking and, to be honest, very sad. The tears flowed freely through the last twenty or so minutes I read.
I will admit that some parts of the book are predictable. However, this did not dampen my enjoyment of the novel at all. I couldn’t put it down until I ultimately fell asleep with the Kindle falling on my face.
I am happy to award Deadline 4 out of 5 stars. If you love crime thrillers, you should read this book. The ending leaves a perfect segue into a sequel if there is to be one, and it is a thrilling ending.
Many thanks to Emma at Dampebbles Blog Tours, Geoff Major, and Grosvenor House Publishing for providing me with a digital copy of Deadline in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 8, 2021
As a crime novel fan, I usually go for the U.S crime thrillers of Michael Connelly, Robert Crais and David Baldacci. On looking for a new book to read, my wife suggested Deadline as it’s more closer to home (Being from the North of England) In fact it starts the story in Scarborough, North Yorkshire where I would spend a lot of time as a boy on holiday. Anyway back to the review! I found the story thoroughly gripping! It has many twists and turns and I didn’t really know which way it was going to go next! It kept me guessing all the way through out.
If you are fan of crime thrillers I would highly recommend.
Extremely good read!
If you are fan of crime thrillers I would highly recommend.
Extremely good read!
October 2, 2020
The story captures you immediately, slowly leading you in to its grip until you just cannot put it down until you have finished it! The author very cleverly weaves a tale most sinister, where characters and situations are not always what they seem to be! And for those of you who think you have it all worked out, believe me, expect the unexpected! With such a strong storyline I was happy to forgive the obvious small errors that always seem to come with first novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book from this author, will definitely be keeping a watch out for any future books!
October 5, 2020
I’m not usually a crime thriller fan but was pleasantly surprised by this book. I loved getting to know the characters, there was enough detail so you really got to know them well. The “crime” sections weren’t too graphic to give me nightmares but were enough that you knew what was happening. I was hooked from the 3rd chapter and desperately wanted to get to the end to know who did it (I never would have guessed) the plot had many twist and turns to keep me hooked and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I’m looking forward to the next one Geoff Major
October 9, 2020
Well what can I say! I spent my weekend reading this thrilling book. Excellent read and a book I simply couldn’t put down, much to my husbands displeasure as he had to cook Sunday dinner as I was so near the end I wanted to finish reading it!! Gripped me till the very end. I do hope there will be a sequel! I can imagine it as a film. I can’t wait to read another book from Geoff Major as I really enjoyed this one. My husband is now reading it and guess what I had to cook his dinner last night!! Thoroughly recommended.
December 10, 2020
"Deadline" really kept me guessing all the way through. Just when I thought I had things figured out... BAM! Another plot twist! If you're like me, you won't be able to stop thinking about this book until you're done reading, and then thinking a bit more after. I found the plot really intense, and the larger-than-life characters were perfect for this book. I'm looking forward to more books from Geoff Major in the future.
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to @damppebblesblogtours
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to @damppebblesblogtours
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